Is It SOP For Police To Accompany EMT To All Home Emergencies?

Damaged Goods

Member
Location
Maryland
When mom and, years later, my wife died at home, a cop arrived simultaneously with the EMT team. In mom’s case, the cop sat with us at the kitchen table but didn’t say a word. In fact he nodded off several times before catching himself. I think that he was shirking resumption of his duties or what the guys in the army called “ghosting”.

It was my impression that EMT people are trained to notice and report anything suspicious to law enforcement, rather than having a patrolman accompany them to every emergency.

What are your experiences?
 

Yes, I think it's standard procedure, especially when someone dies at home.
When my mom died, police showed up for a few minutes just before paramedics arrived.
Maybe they just look over the situation to verify that it wasn't murder?
 
Where I live, when someone calls 911, you get Police, Fire, and Ambulance. Standard practice here.
Same here in Canada, for the most part, however, 911 calls are routed to the appropriate department, but in the event of a fire, all 3 show.
Absolutely. That’s standard procedure if you call 911, which is ‘emergency.’ That’s an emergency crew and they actually are incredibly impressive in their syncing up of information and procedures
 
From my past EMS experience, it depends on what the call is about. If a death has occurred, most likely an officer/officers will show up, whether a crime has happened or not.
 
My father died at home alone and the state police came before the coroner's office. The officer stayed until they removed my father's body to their office for a mandatory autopsy.

In some areas of the city where I currently live ambulance and fire crews will not take a call without a police escort.

I suppose that these things vary from location to location.
 
When my mother died at home, as she wished to do, her doctor had forewarned me that police were required to attend all home deaths, even if the death was expected. They still do so here.
I'm a couple hundred miles below you (by Ruidoso) and no police action here when my husband died. I'm sure they were apprised of the situation though.

Of course, NOW there is only one police officer!
 
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We had to call 911 three weeks ago for my wife. daughter called, told them of her existing health problems and that she had unexpectedly passed out. Ambulance and crew were here within minutes. No police or fire vehicles.

Crew were very efficient, got her to the hospital quickly. She spent 6 days in the ICU, then to a regular ward and a week later, back home where she continues to recover slowly.
 
With the world so full of 'crazies' EMS personnel never know what their going to encounter on a call.
A cop is often needed,-911 calls are garbled, as the callers are in a hight state of anxiety when they call.
 
It all depends on the municipality. Some will just send the ambulance and fire department, others may send the ambulance and the police and some may send all 3. This is normally done because a lot of times when people call for an ambulance they are very excited and don’t get all of the details exactly correct. Too much uncertainty causes concern, so for the protection of all, most municipalities will request police go along on ambulance calls, if available.

I have a friend that’s a city cop and he has discussed this on different occasions. He told me that if there is a domestic issue and someone was injured, the ambulance driver or EMT will not enter the residence until after the cop has given the all clear signal.
 
This isn't exactly the same thing, but every time an ambulance pulls up in front of my building, it is accompanied by a huge fire engine. Usually, the reason the ambulance is there has nothing to do with fire, of course. I always wonder why. (Maybe the fire dept. has resussitation equipment that the ambulance crew doesn't have?)

Not sure whether there is a police car also, from what you're all writing, there probably is.
 
In BC if you call 911 you’re asked if it’s a police or ambulance. I called recently and can’t recall them asking about fire, they probably did. I was put through for the ambulance and that was the only EMT that arrived.

There was some type of emergency at the mall recently. Ambulance & fire truck arrived.

It’s understandable if there’s a death that the police would arrive. They’d have to check that there was nothing suspicious.

If all 3 are standard and only one is really needed, isn’t this a waste of taxpayer dollars?
 
It all depends on the municipality. Some will just send the ambulance and fire department, others may send the ambulance and the police and some may send all 3. This is normally done because a lot of times when people call for an ambulance they are very excited and don’t get all of the details exactly correct. Too much uncertainty causes concern, so for the protection of all, most municipalities will request police go along on ambulance calls, if available.

I have a friend that’s a city cop and he has discussed this on different occasions. He told me that if there is a domestic issue and someone was injured, the ambulance driver or EMT will not enter the residence until after the cop has given the all clear signal.
Your friend is correct, at least as it pertains to Pennsylvania anyway
 
Where I live, when someone calls 911, you get Police, Fire, and Ambulance. Standard practice here.

Same here, 911 calls routinely get ambulance, police and fire department. The night my husband died, the paramedics left my home after being unable to save him. The very kind and helpful police officer contacted the undertaker for me, contacted the family members I asked for, and sat with me until the undertakers had removed my husband from our home and the family arrived. He explained everything that needed to happen, told me why he was doing certain things and, in general, couldn't have been more helpful and sympathetic. It meant a lot to me.
 
With the world so full of 'crazies' EMS personnel never know what their going to encounter on a call.

Ain't that the truth.... Part of the thrill of the job
The OP question, any death outside a medical controlled situation needs to be investigated. May be initially sent or called by EMS.
Some areas have Officers that are medically trained and answer as a 1st responder, a few of ours carry defibrillators.
All though it will vary with different service areas, in general, law enforcement officers will be dispatched with EMS to any call that involve assaults, domestic issues, overdoses, psychiatric issues, or anything sounding sketchy or possibly threatening. Also to medical alarms where breaking into the home may be needed.
For Sunny
The dreaded BIG FIRE TRUCK is here.... wasting money on fuel...
Most fire services also respond with medically train personal as 1st responders, but still their main job is fire protection..
They have to bring their main tools with them...
 

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